Conflict Diamond Research Essay

Conflict Diamond Research Essay Free Online Research Papers The war in other countries is plentiful but few, in particular, have had the US dragged into them. One that is causing major conflict within surrounding countries is the wars and civil unrest in Central Africa. The government in some African countries has been overthrown by warlords and rebels in order to gain power and instill fear within African citizens. They fund war acts through the diamond trade. In this, they have slaves and kidnapped workers mine sunup to sundown to find diamonds and minerals that they sell illegally to other countries to fund their terror acts. The diamonds mined are better known as conflict diamonds and are true to name due to the conflict they cause. As many believe with outstanding evidence to support, The United Nations should work together to stop the export of conflict diamonds. Starting off, the background of these notorious rocks should be better explained, â€Å"Conflict, or blood, diamonds are stones that are mined in war zones for the purpose of funding military actions by rebel forcesThe war zones are primarily in Africa.† (Human 1). These diamonds that are illegally funneled into other countries to fund the war are causing major civil unrest throughout all countries in the United Nations in regards to human safety. â€Å"Many miners and diamond diggers travel great distances to find work and submit to grudgingly long hours for low wages – or sometimes no wages The informal mining industry is where workers tend to be most exploitedChild labor has long been a problem in informal diamond mines Children have often been exploited to do excavation work.†(Cahill 2). The glamor of a diamond often has a dark unsettling past. The diamond begins within a natural cave underground until it is found by a miner, often unpaid or a slave worker or kidnapped child forced to work. After it is removed from the ground it is smuggled out of the country illegally with the profits more often than not going back to the warlords to fund their murderous and rebellious habits. The harsh reality many face is where these culprit diamonds end up, possible around your neck or on your hand as a symbol of status or a show of affection from a significant other, †There are numerous factors that contribute to jewelry produced under conditions that violate the human rights of the workers. This jewelry could be called conflict jewelry.†(Hight 3). Conflict jewelry does not meet the UN’s standards, meaning it cannot be legally sold, but this does not deter money hungry warlords who sell on the black market and continue the terrible cycle again and again. The history of blood diamonds is a truly dark one that should not be allowed to continue any longer. Conflict diamonds have done nothing but cause trouble. Money from these illegal diamond sales is often used to finance an insurgency or a warlord in a country of civil unrest that cannot protect itself. â€Å"The Kimberley Process was created in 2003 to stop so-called blood diamonds that fund rebel groups from entering global markets. But a September 2015 Amnesty International report exposed systemic weaknesses in the scheme. Armed groups in the Central African Republic (CAR), for example, are profiting from the countrys internal diamond trade.†(Time 2). To explain in greater detail, the Kimberley Process is a mandate put into place by the UN to stop the illegal diamond trades going on and help those affected by it, but the process has loopholes that the rebels and diamond industry abuse to continue to profit of off the countrys downfall. Opposing sides argue with this in order to better protect themselves and their economic interest, â€Å"We can be really proud that the Kim berley Process helped to address rebel abuses KP participants exported almost $10 billion dollars worth of rough diamonds. And the Kimberley process has played a role in promoting economic growth and stability.†(Remark 6). This is a statement made by Assistant Secretary Posner on the work of the KP who is paid by the Kimberley process to say that it is not failing and should continue to be funded, Despite evidence exposing the clear need for change, the diamond industry reacted defensively to our report and ignored the issues we raised. They continue to hide behind the veneer of respectability offered by the Kimberley Process rather than taking responsibility for what happens along their supply chains.(Time 4). Evidence shows that the Kimberley Process does not work in the way that was originally desired. Many diamond companies are still hiding within the loopholes and behind the African governments claim of humane and clean diamond trades with money going back to the people a nd the country, which is known not to be true: The conflict diamonds funds all go to warlords and rebels with the loopholes within the KP and the African Government. If someone gets kidnapped from their family or taken by gangs of violent people in the US many police forces and military members become involved to return this person to safety and take down whoever committed the said crime, but in other parts of the world such as central Africa, these crimes occur so often, they rarely go noticed. Rebel groups against the government take over small countries and use their citizens as forced workers and slaves, one use for them is in the diamond mines. These groups violate many human rights laws and racked up a laundry list of offenses against the African government, its citizens, and the UN. â€Å"Diamond companies must stop using the Kimberley Process to claim that their diamonds are free from human rights abuses and conflict,† Amnesty International said as the certification scheme holds its annual plenary in Luanda, Angola. â€Å"The Central African Republics (CAR) biggest traders have purchased diamonds worth several million dollars with out adequately investigating whether they financed armed groups responsible for summary executions, rape, enforced disappearances, and widespread looting.†(Time 5). The CARs chain of command is currently corrupt and being overtaken by rebels and warlords. Some of the countries are being exposed for child labor, tax abuse, human rights violations, and many other illegal acts that create profits for the rebels in charge. The UN has tried to blacklist many countries from exporting diamonds with no prevail. But some claim there is no abuse within the system and work is voluntary, â€Å"Informal mining settlements like Angovia have been unexpectedly popping up in recent years across the West African country. For many years Ivory Coasts economic fortunes were tied to agriculture†¦ the government reckons there are now some 500,000 small-scale gold minersThe number of artisanal miners in Africa has grown from about 10m in 1999 to perhaps 30m today.†(Jobs 3). There are many self-employed miners working to keep afloat but this is a small number compared to the slave workers in all of Africa. â€Å"In 2003, the UN imposed sanctions on Ivory Coast, forcing the country to stop trading diamonds. The sanctions were put in place because the risk of conflict diamonds entering the regular circuit would have been too great otherwise,(Ivory 2). says Margaux Donckier, spokeswoman for the AWDC. Ivory Coast has been abused before whos to say it won’t happen once again. The diamond trade is brimming with abuse and human rights issues that many have ignored for far too long. With conflict, diamonds comes to their namesake, conflict. These diamonds are more often than not a huge cause for government collapse, civil unrest, traitorous acts, and war. With all of this happening it makes it almost too easy for government opposed warlords to come in and take over countries with force. When this happens they sell out all mined resources to outside countries to fund the acts. Many countries and companies hide these minerals and their dark pasts to keep from the populations finding out they are privately funding wars and government overtaking. â€Å"CARs diamond companies could soon start exporting diamonds stockpiled during the ongoing conflict in which 5,000 have died. An export ban in place since May 2013 has been lifted by the Kimberley Process, which is responsible for preventing the international trade in blood diamonds. If companies have bought blood diamonds, they must not be allowed to profit from them, said Lucy Graham, Legal Adviser in Amnesty Interna tionals Business and Human Rights Team. The government should confiscate any blood diamonds, sell them and use the money for the public benefit. The people of CAR have a right to profit from their own natural resources.(Companies 3). The Central African Republic recently went through and is still in conflict with surrounding areas regarding the diamonds mined in the area. As a result of this conflict 5,000 were killed in the crossfire. Lucy Graham believes the UN should confiscate any blood diamonds and sell them for public benefit to rebuild the areas affected hardest by the diamond trades awful consequences. Yet some countries have been allowed to profit off of their â€Å"legal† diamonds, †Experts believe Ivory Coast has the potential to produce 150 to 200,000 carats of rough diamonds annually in the years ahead, representing a value of $25 million.†(Ivory 3). Ivory Coast was once a big country involved in the selling of ill-gotten minerals. After being ripped apart and rebuilt they may now continue this work above all the red tape that once struck them into economic debt. It is said that Ivory Coast has the earning potential of 25 million and that is set to grow, but what is unknown is if they may exploit their earning once again and ignore all the laws in effect once the hubble dies down and it can be easily overlooked by the UN. â€Å"The diamond-trading ban was imposed by the Kimberley Process, a global gem-verification group formed to halt the outflow of precious stones from conflict zones With the earnings from conflict diamonds, the militias buy weapons, pay soldiers, enrich rebel leaders and keep ordinary citizens in fear, in refugee camps, or separated from their families.†(Vives 4). As suspected, the Central African Republic is continuing the illegal trade of blood diamonds for war profits. At the beginning of 2013 the government was overthrown by militias and rebels. With this new power, they began profiting off of illeg al diamond trades. The revenue created by the diamond smuggling funded the rebellion and struck fear into neighboring citizens who were also made into working slaves. With this evidence, it is shown to be true that many companies are profiting off of the diamonds from war zones and the conflict from them is continuing to rise. The pain and suffering generated by the tyranny of blood diamonds have lead to government overthrow, casualties from war crossfire, and countries being thrown into a whirlwind of abuse and fear. African rebels begin by overtaking governments and enslaving people within their mines to create profit and revenue for their terror acts. The United Nations need to work together to put an end to the illegal trade of conflict diamonds once and for all. Cahill, Petra. â€Å"A Diamond’s Journey: Grim Reality Tarnishes Glitter.† Nbcnews.com, 29 June 2009, www.nbcnews.com/id/15842524/ns/world_news/t/diamonds-journey-grim-reality-tarnishes-glitter/#.WQJaJIgrKJc. Accessed 27 Apr. 2017. â€Å"Companies must Not Profit from Blood Diamonds.† AllAfrica.com, Sep, 2015, SIRS Issues Researcher, https://sks.sirs.com. Hight, Lauren. â€Å"The Fight for Ethical Jewelry.† University Wire, 2014, SIRS Issues Researcher, https://sks.sirs.com. â€Å"Ivory Coast Resuming Diamond Trade Thanks to Belgium.† African Press Organisation Database of Press Releases Related to Africa, 2014, SIRS Issues Researcher, https://sks.sirs.com. â€Å"Jobs in Africa; in Praise of Small Miners.† Economist, May, 2016, pp. 45, SIRS Issues Researcher, https://sks.sirs.com. â€Å"Remarks by Assistant Secretary Posner to the Kimberley Process..† Humanrights.gov, 2012, SIRS Government Reporter,https://sks.sirs.com. Staff, ProQuest. Human Rights Timeline. Leading Issues Timelines, 2017, SIRS Issues Researcher, https://sks.sirs.com. â€Å"Time for Diamond Companies to Stop Hiding Behind Kimberley Process.† Targeted News Service, 2015, pp. n/a, SIRS Issues Researcher, https://sks.sirs.com.Copy Vives, Lisa. â€Å"Smugglers Peddle ‘Conflict Diamonds’ from Central African Republic..†SIRS Issues Researcher, 24 Mar, 2015,https://sks.sirs.com. Research Papers on Conflict Diamond Research EssayLove & DivorceCombating Human TraffickingPoverty, Violence and Conflict - How are they Related?Alternative Dispute Resolution ClauseConflict Resolution TacticsBarack Obama's 2007 Border Protection PaperQuebec and CanadaAmnesty For Illegal Immigrants - Yes or No?Advertising EssayResponsible for Occupational Health Essay

Reading Comprehension for Students With Dyslexia

Reading Comprehension for Students With Dyslexia Students with dyslexia often focus so much on sounding out each word they miss the meaning of what they are reading. This deficiency in reading comprehension skills can cause problems not only in school but throughout a persons life. Some of the problems that occur are a lack of interest in reading for pleasure, poor vocabulary development and difficulties in employment, especially in job positions where reading would be required. Teachers often spend a great deal of time helping children with dyslexia learn to decode new words, decoding skills and improving reading fluency. Sometimes reading comprehension is overlooked. But there are many ways teachers can help students with dyslexia improve their reading comprehension skills. Reading comprehension is not just one skill but a combination of many different skills. The following provides information, lesson plans and activities to help teachers work to improve reading comprehension skills in students with dyslexia: Making Predictions A prediction is a guess as to what will happen next in a story. Most people will naturally make predictions while they read, however, students with dyslexia have a hard time with this skill. This can be because their focus is on sounding out words rather than thinking about the meaning of the words. Summarizing Being able to summarize what you read not only helps in reading comprehension but also helps students retain and remember what they read. This is also an area students with dyslexia find difficult. Vocabulary Learning new words in print and word recognition are both problem areas for children with dyslexia. They may have a large spoken vocabulary but cannot recognize words in print. The following activities can help build vocabulary skills: 15 Tips for Developing Word Recognition SkillsFlash Cards for Word RecognitionLesson Plan: Using Art to Increase Vocabulary Skills in Students with Dyslexia Organizing Information Another aspect of reading comprehension that students with dyslexia have a problem with is organizing the information they have read. Often, these students will rely on memorization, oral presentations or following other students rather than internally organizing information from written text. Teachers can help by providing an overview before reading, using graphic organizers and teaching students to look for how information is organized in a story or book. Inferences Much of the meaning we derive from reading is based on what is not said. This is implied information. Students with dyslexia understand literal material but have a harder time finding hidden meanings and making inferences. Using Contextual Clues Many adults with dyslexia rely on contextual clues to understand what is read because other reading comprehension skills are weak. Teachers can help students develop contextual skills to help improve reading comprehension. Using Previous Knowledge When reading, we automatically use our personal experiences and what we have previously learned to make the written text more personal and meaningful. Students with dyslexia may have a problem connecting prior knowledge to written information. Teachers can help students activate prior knowledge by pre-teaching vocabulary, providing background knowledge and creating opportunities to continue building background knowledge.

Accounting case study analysis Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Accounting analysis - Case Study Example The charity Help Our Homeless Offspring, look forward towards violating the rule of exceeding 25 percent expenditure and funding to survive. They must have an expensive TV for advertisement. The resulting effect is an increased expenditure to funding ratio beyond 25 percent. Such activities are unethical and unacceptable because they contradict accounting principles (Needles, Powers and Crosson, 2011). The accountant of HOH felt that the misallocation of cost at the expense of exploiting the willing donors was an unethical act because it contradicts accounting principle (Vanderbeck, 2013). For example, the following principles were violated namely; full disclosure principle, cost principle and reliability accounting principle. HOH charity should disclose the true state of affairs and avoid misleading the donors, as well as other users of accounting information (Smith, 2011). Further, the information disclose should be reliable to avoid making wrong decision. The senior accountant in this case tends to justify unethical acts applied by the company (Lerner and Cashin, 2009). As an accountant who adheres to the accounting ethics, it will be inappropriate to do nothing because misallocation of cost contravene the principle discussed. I would, therefore, tell my corporation to embrace the accounting principles. Instead of misallocating the cost to mislead the donors, the corporation should focus on minimizing its variable cost. I would not encourage my corporation to work with HOHO because the top management are encouraging unethical practices (Duska, Duska and Ragatz,

Globalization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Globalization - Essay Example With the rise of globalization, sovereignty is now loosing its advantage in various aspects but is still considered by realists to be an important matter especially in the protection of internal affairs. To the realist, sovereignty is not just a display of supreme power but also gives the idea of ‘equality of nations’ where no one nation-state is superior over the other but are of the same level while one state’s need of others is maintained by the protection of internal affairs of each nation. In such a situation, a consensus is needed for the declaration of the sovereignty of one nation over the others. Thus it is the realist’s opinion that sovereignty should be reduced as suggested by Henry Schermers , as ‘the world community takes over sovereignty of territories with the world community having sufficient means to help existing states with their weaknesses and failures (Jackson 2003, p. 787). Secretary General Annan on the other hand, believes that a global era requires a global engagement (Jackson 2003, p.

Color Scheme and the Work Place Essay Example for Free

Color Scheme and the Work Place Essay Color Scheme and Work Productivity 1 Running Head: Color Scheme and Work Productivity Color Scheme and Work Productivity How Does the Color Scheme of a Building Affect Work Productivity Introductory Psychology Research Paper Using APA Style Jessica N. Russell Milwaukee Area Technical College July 2008 Color Scheme and Work Productivity 2 Creating a productive work environment is a shift in both the blue collar and white collar work worlds that has the potential of influencing change in the wider arena of life. High work productivity while maintaining quality could have an extremely positive impact on the economy. Research indicates that employees produce a higher output of work when they are employed where there is a positive work environment. A huge part of the positive environment is the color scheme of the work building. Using color psychology when designing work environments can make a difference in attitude and work performance, thereby impacting the bottom line of a company. It is the higher work productivity and positive attitudes that are the focus of this research. Color Scheme and Work Productivity How Does the Color Scheme of a Building Affect Work Productivity Introductory Psychology Research Paper Using APA Style Introduction The author of this research paper has been in the workforce for over ten years. During this time, the author has worked in a wide variety of industries, including: clerical work, food service, sales and service, and collections. The author is most currently a team lead in the current position of collector. Working as an employee, and now in a somewhat supervisory role, the author has seen both high and low levels of productivity performed by employees. There is a noticeable pattern that Color Scheme and Work Productivity 3 either most employees are highly productive at some of the companies, or most of the employees are less productive than they should be at some of the companies. The one thing that has intrigued the author is the difference in attitudes and work productivity when moving from one workplace to another. In some work settings, people did unpleasant and difficult work tasks, yet they maintained a positive attitude and high productivity rates. In other work environments, people had a great job and worked in a pleasant environment, yet their attitudes were not upbeat to reflect that and work productivity was average or low. What in these work places makes the difference in work productivity? The author spoke of this project with employees at work. When the author referenced what in the â€Å"workplace environment† makes a difference, many employees stated things such as furnishings, ergonomic work stations, colors of the walls, windows and art in the workplace. The feedback that was given led to the topic for this research paper. It is important to know the answer to color schemes and their affect of work productivity, as work productivity is what affects a company’s bottom line. The company’s bottom line, in turn, has a huge affect on the economy. Since economic conditions affect all people in this world, it is important to Color Scheme and Work Productivity 4 research and find ways to increase worker productivity. Since there are many things that affect work productivity, the author narrowed the research down to one main thing that affects levels productivity. Does the color scheme of a building affect work productivity? Method There has been much research done on how to increase work productivity, going far back at the mid 1800s. However, most research has been on management style and hierarchies in the work place. Not as much emphasis has been put on researching the work environment in regards to color schemes. To find information for the research, the author looked in the library research database EBSCOHOST to find articles related to color psychology. The author also utilized a book written on the topic of contemporary management. Results and Findings The earliest known study in regards to the work environment was series of studies was conducted from 1924 to 1932 at the Hawthorne Works of the Western Electric Company. This research, now known as the Hawthorne Studies began as an attempt to investigate how characteristics of the work setting – Color Scheme and Work Productivity 5 specifically at the level of lighting or illumination – affect worker fatigue and performance. (Jones George, 2008, p. 65). The researchers conducted an experiment in which they systematically measured worker productivity at various levels of illumination. The experiment produced some unexpected results. The researchers discovered that regardless of whether they raised or lowered the level of illumination, productivity increased. In fact, productivity only began to fall when the level of illumination dropped to the level of moonlight, a level at which, presumably, workers could no longer see well enough to do their work efficiently. (Jones George, 2008, p. 65). It was concluded that the employees were just happy that people were paying attention to them, and seeing what caused them to work more productively. The Hawthorne Studies did not look at how illumination at higher or lower intervals for a set period of time affects the performance. This would have answered the question if the illumination affects work performance. Thus, from there, research could have been done in regards to the color schemes of a room. Also, much of the research cited for the Hawthorne Studies was perception based. This would suggest that it is important to ask the workers involved what their illumination preference, as well as their color, preference is. (Hart, 2004, Color Scheme and Work Productivity 6 P. 1). According to research completed by Blumber Capitals Partners, 80 percent of workers said the condition of their work environment affects their productivity, and 33 percent said they have actually left a job or taken a new one nased on the condition of the building and/or amenities offered. (Kampert, 2008, p. 1). In 1998, a study was conducted in regards to task type, posters, workspace color on mood, satisfaction and performance. This study was overseen by the department of psychology at Creighton University in Omaha, NE. There were 112 student participants. As part of the experiment, they either performed a low or high demand task in a blue or red workspace, with or without a scenic poster. (English and Stone, 1998, p. 175). Only hostility was affected by task type. Satisfaction and performance were not significantly affected by either the posters. Performance decreased for the high demand tasks and decreased for the low demand tasks. Posters made the workplace more pleasant, but also increased perceived task demand. Perceived task demand was marginally related to workplace color. Perceived task demand may moderate the effects of posters and workplace color on mood and other perceptions. Other date support the notion that cool Color Scheme and Work Productivity 7 colors are calming and warm colors are stimulating. (Stone English, 1998, p. 175). Many studies in regards to color have actually been done by interior designers who decorate homes,and some who decorate offices. Interior designers are aware that while people do not spend a lot of time thinking about room color, it affects every day of our lives. Room color influences our mood and thoughts. Colors affect people in many ways, depending on one’s age, gender, ethnic background, or local climate. (Corrigan, 2008, p. 3). Also,certain colors, or groups of colors tend to get a similar reaction from most people, regardless of their age, gender, ethnic background, or local climate. The overall difference is in the shades or tones that are used. To understand what colors work best in certain rooms in either a home or place of business, it is first important to understand the moods that colors evoke. Much research has been done in the area of color psychology – the study of colors and their affects on moods. Below you will see the colors listed and mood that are evoked. The descriptions come from a book titled Color and Human Response by Faber Birren. The colors and the moods they evoke can also be located on any internet site that discusses color psychology. Color Scheme and Work Productivity 8 Red – raise’s a room’s energy level. It stirs up excitement, but has also been shown to raise blood pressure, speed respiration and speed heart rate. Red can sometimes be too stimulating for a room. Crimson – makes people feel irritable. People sitting in a crimson room for a long period of time will likely break down any peace or harmony that one is striving to create. Overall red and crimson colors, should only be used in rooms that are used after dark where just a lamp makes the room have an elegant feel. Many steak restaurants like to use red and crimson. Yellow – captures the joy of sunshine and communicates happiness. Thought it is a cheerful color, it should only be used in kitchens, dining rooms and bathrooms. People are more likely to lose their tempers in a yellow room, as it tends to create feelings of frustration and anger in people. The color yellow is also fatiguing on the eyes. Blue – brings down blood pressure and slows respiration and heart rate. It is considered calming, relaxing, and serene. Pastel blue, however, can come across as unpleasantly chilly, especially in a room that receives little natural light. Color Scheme and Work Productivity 9 Green – considered the most restful color on the eye. A sage or medium green cools things down, encourages unwinding, and promotes comfort and togetherness. Green is believed to relieve stress by helping people relax. Purple – in its darkest forms is rich, dramatic and sophisticated. Light purples have the same effect as pastel blues, but without the chilly effect. Orange – evokes excitement, enthusiasm, and is an energetic color. It is great for an exercise room. Orange was used in ancient cultures to increase energy levels. Neutrals (black, gray, white, and brown) – are calm colors. Black is used sparingly as trim, same as dark tones of brown, because too much of a dark color make a room feel smaller. White brightens up small areas.

Leaders vs. Managers: Who would I hire? Essay example -- Business Mana

One of my favorite management quotes says â€Å"Management is efficiency in climbing the ladder of success, leadership determines whether the ladder is leaning against the right wall.† My ideas about leadership and management have been shaped by personal experiences in both the military and private sectors. While there are good and bad leaders in both worlds, the military adds an interesting twist in the requirement to follow the orders of your chain of command and that facets of management are performed at varying steps in that chain. In the military, â€Å"leadership† is imposed as rank is earned. Conversely, in the private sector, leadership is earned or demonstrated in order to achieve â€Å"rank†. I find myself torn between these alternate views of leadership and management as I think of answers to the assigned questions. If I were the CEO of a company, would I hire managers or leaders for my supervisory positions? My answer to this question depends on my company. As the CEO of a start-up company on the cutting edge of my market segment, I would ensure that the majority of my supervisors have the vision and skills necessary to ensure success and future growth opportunities. However, not all functions of the business would require a high level of forward thinking so having managers would also be important. As the book states, having leaders with an entrepreneurial view of the world would be an asset during the development phase of the business but they could become overwhelmed by bureaucracy as the business matures. I think it is important to note that â€Å"leading† is listed as one of the 8 identifiable functions of managers. From a military perspective, as an admiral, I would expect my senior officers to be leaders with an eye on t... ... also results in higher efficiency. Works Cited Babcock-Roberson, M., & Strickland, O. (2010). The Relationship Between Charismatic Leadership, Work Engagement, and Organizational Citizenship Behaviors. Journal of Psychology, 144(3), 313-326. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database. Covey, S. (1990). The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. New York: Fireside. Kreitner R. (2009). Management. Canada: Houghton Mifflin Hardcourt. Sterry, T., Reiter-Purtill, J., Gartstein, M., Gerhardt, C., Vannatta, K., & Noll, R. (2010). Temperament and Peer Acceptance: The Mediating Role of Social Behavior. Merrill-Palmer Quarterly, 56(2), 189-219. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database. Zweig, D. (2010). The Board That Couldn’t Think Straight. Conference Board Review v. 47 no. 1 (Winter 2010) p. 40-7. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database.

An Analysis of Miss Havisham’s Madness Essay

This paper will attempt to explore the atypical behavior of Miss Havisham, arguably the most memorable character in Charles Dicken’s novel, â€Å"Great Expectations†. The analysis shall be done in the context of the society she was part of and the events she had been through. MADNESS DURING THE VICTORIAN ERA During the eighteen hundreds, a common belief was that those who had mental illness suffered because they had a â€Å"disease of the soul† (Goldberg, 24). Their strange behavior was attributed to inherent malevolence and they were treated apathetically in asylums by naive caretakers who have insufficient understanding of mental illness. They were treated as animals. Patients in these early asylums were kept in cages, given small amounts of often unclean food, had little or no clothing, wore no shoes, and slept in dirt. Because the patients could often live many years in such conditions, the caretakers became more confident that these human beings were in actuality closer to animals and thus deserving of such abuse (Ussher, 65). Moreover, effective treatments for mental disorders were unavailable, with the only measures being such procedures as, drugging, bleeding, or purging, which produced few objective results (Carson et al. 47). Bleeding, also known as phlebotomy or bloodletting, was utilized to release â€Å"bad blood†. This was usually the initial treatment. It seemed like a logical solution to restore health based upon the four humors: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. Patients were cut with a lancet or â€Å"leeched†; blood or milk was dripped over a vein to encourage the leech to bite and suck from that vein. A doctor often bled a patient until they fainted. Bleeding was performed not just by doctors but also by barbers. This procedure did very little to help, but did a great job in regards to weakening the patient. (Krausse) Purging involved giving patients heavy doses of laxatives or emetics to expel â€Å"poisons† from the body. It was believed that diarrhea was relaxing the interior of the body while puking was thought to relieve tension on the arteries. (Krausse) Fortunately, in the mid-eighteen hundreds, beliefs about mental illness began to change and treatments improved. Moral management of asylums was encouraged. Insanity was no longer viewed as punishment from God but as a disease of the brain, a biological occurrence that could be studied and eventually cured. This initiated a change in treatment of patients; they were given decent food and clothing. They were released from their shackles and brutal confinements and were treated humanely. Women and mental illness. During the19th century, women were deemed to have weaker intellectual faculties than men. It was believed that women were lacking in mental strength and, thus, were more susceptible to mental aberrations. It was in the Victorian era that madness was called ‘a female malady’. These attitudes were reinforced by medical science of that time which defined women in biological terms as naturally passive, dependent, sexually disinterested and born to be mothers and ‘helpmeets’ to men. These beliefs severely reduced women’s freedom of expression and limited their access to education, employment and ownership of property. Women who rebelled against these codes found themselves vulnerable to being diagnosed as ‘mad’ for exhibiting a wide range of ‘deviant’, ‘unnatural’ and ‘unwomanly’ behaviors. (Jones) Medical writing at this time made it clear that doctors’ believed women uniquely vulnerable to mental instability; protecting her involved regulating her sexuality and cycles. Mothers were advised to try and delay menstruation in girls and doctors sought to regulate women’s minds by regulating their bodies. Dr. Isaac Baker Brown pioneered the surgical practice of clitoridectomy as a cure for female insanity which he carried out at his private clinic in London. One of his patients was only 10 years old and the ‘madness’ of several others consisted of their wish to take advantage of the new divorce act of 1857. Another young woman was brought to the clinic by her family because she had suffered ‘great irregularities of temper’, was too assertive in sending her visiting cards to men she liked and spent ‘much time in serious reading’. (Jones) Anorexia, though prominent for many years prior, was officially recognized as a mental disease in 1873 (Ussher, 77). It flourished during the nineteenth century as women wished to exemplify their femininity. In denying food, a woman could truly be passive and become a weightless accessory for her husband. The physical and spiritual ideal of anorexia also became a status symbol for many women. Working class women had to eat in order to have energy to work. Thus, only middle to upper class women could afford to be anorexic. Cures included being admitted to an asylum where women rested and were excessively fed. The idea of the Wondering Womb also developed in this era, as madness was associated with menstruation, pregnancy, and the menopause. The womb itself was thought to wander throughout the body, acting as an enormous sponge which sucked the life-energy or intellect from vulnerable women (Ussher, 74). As a result, women became synonymous with madness, as they were pronounced to be emotional and unstable. If a woman of the Victorian era were subject to an outburst, perhaps due to anger or frustration, she would be proclaimed insane. The word Hysteria became the general term for women with mental illness and cures included bed rest, seclusion, bland food, refraining from mental activities such as reading, daily massage, and sensory deprivation. Though these treatments do not seem too appalling, they were comparable to solitary confinement and would often drive a woman to further insanity. (Frick) MISS HAVISHAM’S LIFE Miss Havisham was raised by her wealthy indulgent father after her mother died when she was just a baby. She also came to inherit her father’s money after his death. As a young woman, Miss Havisham fell deeply in love with a crook named Compeyson, despite warnings from her cousin that the man was only after her money, they decided to get married. On their wedding day, Havisham received a letter from her fiance and realized she had been betrayed and jilted. From that moment on she refused to remove her wedding dress and wears only one shoe because she was on the process of putting on the other when she received the letter. She also had all the clocks in Satis house stopped at twenty minutes to nine, the moment she realized Compeyson’s deception. After adopting Estelle, she isolated herself from society and remained wandering the mansion in her tattered wedding dress with the remnants of a reception that never came to be. MISS HAVISHAMS MADNESS Miss Havisham’s seclusion is indicative of hysterical insanity, which Conolly classifies. His definition reads: There is a form of malady, more frequent among the wealthier classes than the poorer, in which apparent bodily ailments of a changeful or obstinate character become associated with an infirmity of mind, at first slight and occasional, but afterward more fixed and confirmed†¦. This form of disorder is chiefly seen in hysterical women†¦ the mind is agitated by every trifle, and every feeling is in excess, and seeks for sympathy with a morbid eagerness. It would seem as if to all the various portions of the brain, some unrestrained energy were directed, producing endless caprices of the mind and ever-changing bodily sensations†¦ they are affectionate, suspicious, amatory, cold, and repulsive by turns†¦. Incapable of steady friendship or affection, or of adherence to any of the duties of common life, they usually, by degrees, concentrate their attention on their own feelings and morbid sensations, and, laying claim to excessive sensibility, are really only regardful of themselves. (Conolly, 77) The fundamental characteristics of hysterical insanity are applicable to Miss Havisham. She has the status of wealth, a social group which Conolly considers vulnerable to hysteria. She is extremely whimsical. She is pleased with Estella’s rapidly changing mood, a copy of her own fickleness. Miss Havisham’s restless temper parallels her impatient bodily reactions. Whenever Pip visits her, he is aware of â€Å"impatient movement of her fingers† (Dickens, 146) and her frequent hitting out with a stick in irritation is equivalent to ever-changing bodily sensations. To Pip as a child, Miss Havisham’s impatient finger movement is a cue of her whimsical demands to him. She apparently indulges Estella, but her love of her ward is egotistical. At the point of death, she is reconciled with Pip, but she cannot form steady friendship or affection with Estella. Her withdrawal into the deserted Satis House is, in other words, the renunciation of the duties of common life, which her wealth permits. Miss Havisham neatly fits Conolly’s classification. (Takei, 3) Havisham’s madness is not a choice. It is the effect of the conglomeration of various aspects in her life. The death of her mother robbed Havisham of a loving presence and a feminine role model, had she grown up with a mother, she could have been taught how to choose men intelligently, and she would have learned how to conduct relationships well. Growing up with a father that employs the Permissive-Indulgent parenting style, in which parents are high on warmth but low on discipline and control (Carson et al. 104) had made Miss Havisham accustomed to getting her way. This has her fixated on her wedding day, the event of her rejection and humiliation. Children reared with this type of parenting style are also observed to be manipulative, which is apparent in the relationship between Estelle and Havisham. Also, children of these types of parents grow up to be individuals who readily enter into relationships without much thought, which is exhibited in the engagement between Compeyson and Miss Havisham. Following the unfortunate incident, Havisham has secluded herself from the world. The once magnificent rooms in Satis house has been reduced to ruins filled with dirt and rotting furniture. The air within is stagnant and rancid. The garden is desolated and choked with weeds. Havisham has denounced even daylight; this contributes to her illness even more. An environment rife with squalor, painful memories and rotting reminders will inevitably take its toll on her already frayed sensibilities. Another contributing factor is the views of the society during that period. Spinsters were considered mentally unsound, during the 19th century doctors claimed that being without continued male interaction would cause irritability, anemia, tiredness and fussing (Ussher). Havisham could have been initially affected by the opinions of society after she was jilted, the possibility of facing a judgmental and hypercritical crowd could have helped push Miss Havisham over the edge. Desertion on the wedding day in the Victorian social climate caused her an irrecoverable social stigma in addition to agony. Her decaying body exhibits social pressure on deserted women: â€Å"Her chest had dropped, so that she stooped; and her voice had dropped, so that she spoke low, and with a dead lull upon her; altogether, she had the appearance of having dropped, body and soul, within and without, under the weight of a crushing blow. †(Dickens, 107) These factors that were part of her upbringing, social and physical environment, may have contributed to the emotional instability of Miss Havisham. Another proof of Havishams madness not being a choice is the fact that she had sought to find a way to regain a sort of meaning and purpose to her life when she asked for a daughter she could adopt and care for. I had been shut up in these rooms a long time (I don’t know how long; you know what time the clocks keep here), when I told him that I wanted a little girl to rear and love, and save from my fate. I had first seen him when I sent for him to lay this place waste for me; having read of him in the newspapers, before I and the world parted. He told me that he would look about him for such an orphan child. One night he brought her here asleep, and I called her Estella (Dickens, 713). This was Miss Havisham’s original goal, before her mental instability nudged her to manipulate Estelle into becoming a heart-breaker that would wreck havoc on the lives of men as a kind of revenge for what happened to her. Towards the end when Estelle leaves to marry Bentley Drummle. Havisham realizes the extent of damage she had caused with Pip’s heartbreak. To see her with her white hair and her worn face kneeling at my feet, gave me shock through all my frame. I entreated her to rise, and got my arms about her to help her up; but she only pressed that hand of mine which was nearest to her grasp, and hung her head over it and wept (Dickens, 709) †¦ Until you spoke to her the other day, and until I saw in you a looking-glass that showed me what I once felt myself, I did not know what I had done. What have I done! What have I done! ’ And so again, twenty, fifty times over, What had she done! (Dickens, 710) Havisham’s utter remorse and guilt when she realizes that Pip has been through the same heartache she has experienced is proof that the perverse influence she provided Estelle was not done because she deliberately chose it, rather, she had reached emotional instability because of the events in her life that enabled her to do such actions. As soon as she realized the effect it had on Pip, she was horrified and begged forgiveness. She recognizes that she has tormented Pip, whose heart is as vulnerable as her own. Havisham says, â€Å"I am not all stone† (Dickens, 705), her sympathy and the kindness of a human heart still remains. By her ethical awakening, she recovers her sanity for a short while. Havisham’s madness was not a choice; the events in her life, the environment she lived in, the social interactions she subjected herself too, and her personal flaws, all of these played a part in her mental fragility. Miss Havisham had truly loved Compeyson. This is apparent in one of her conversations with Pip, Havisham exclaims, â€Å"I’ll tell you, what real love is. It is blind devotion, unquestioning self-humiliation, utter submission, trust and belief against yourself and against the whole world, giving up your whole heart and soul to the smiter – as I did! † (Dickens, 426). The intense passion and complete commitment she had felt for Compeyson corresponds to the utter heartbreak she went through and the unbearable pain she felt over his betrayal. This was the principal event that led to her insanity, unable to cope; she manages to survive only by retreating into her own mind and withdrawing from the difficulty of moving on with a normal life. She believed her mental illness was necessary for her existence. Works Cited Carson, C. , Butcher, J. , Mineka, S. Abnormal Psychology and Modern life 11th edition (Needham Heights, MA:), 2000. Print Dickens, Charles. Great Expectations, Planet PDF format (online publication: Planet PDF). Web Ussher, Jane M. Women’s Madness: Misogyny or Mental Illness? (Ameherst, Ma: University of Massachusetts Press), 1991. Print Takei, Akiko. Miss Havisham and Victorian Psychiatry, (PDF format) . Web Conolly, John. On Some of the Forms of Insanity (London), 1850. Print. Jones, Claire. Women and madness, Herstoria magazine (Jones5 Publishing Limited) . Web Goldberg, Ann. Sex, Religion, and the Making of Modern Madness (New York: Oxford University Press), 1999. Print Summary Mental illness during the 19th century had initially been attributed to inherent malevolence or punishment from God; it was during the mid-eighteen hundreds that doctors have begun to view it as a disease of the brain, a biological occurrence that could be treated. During the Victorian Era it was believed that females were more susceptible to mental imbalance because of their weaker minds. Society dictated that the roles of women should be strictly confined to household and they must all be under the support of men. Miss Havisham’s madness was not a choice. It was a result of the conglomeration of various aspects of her life: the environment she lived in, the family she grew up with, the events she had been through, the society she is part of and the personal flaws she had. All of these have played a role in her madness. The breaking point had been the abandonment and betrayal of her fiance Compeyson, whom she loved deeply. In her devastation she proceeds to let her life revolve around the wedding day she never had. Havisham wanders the ruined halls of her Satis home wearing the yellowed wedding dress she refuses to take off and using only one shoe because she was in the process of putting on the other pair when she received the letter from Compeyson. She also had all the clocks in her home stopped twenty minutes to nine- the moment she realized she was betrayed. She adopted a girl named Estelle and proceeded to influence her to become a cold and ruthless girl to wreak havoc in men’s lives. She saw this as a type of revenge to all men for the pain she’s been through. Towards the end of the book Havisham regains sanity for a short while after realizing the pain of heartbreak Pip has been through because of her machinations. Guilty and remorseful, she begs Pip for forgiveness and realizes her mistake.

Ashlyfive point linguistic star Essay

We’ve allowed a natural approach to language instruction to dominate our schools, hoping our English learners â€Å"will just figure it out. † (SCOE, 2009) This approach suggested by Kevin Clark proposes that teachers explicitly teach ELL by giving them a set of skills. Teacher will have to teach students not just vocabulary, but the sound system of language, the words and their word parts and meanings, and also rules for structuring sentences grammatically. Teaching students from this perspective can support a deeper understanding of the language. When the  concept is thoroughly supported by background knowledge, explanation as to why, activities that strengthen skills, and consistency in lesson structure that follows this pattern, students are more likely to understand the concept and create a platform from which to launch higher level thinking and conclusions on following concepts and content area. Students learn more efficiently when they have prior knowledge on a presented concept. If the student can link content to a concept that they gained from previous knowledge on from their own unique background or culture, it  will inevitably spark interest in that subject area. By sparking interest the teacher is now adding value to the lesson. Since students synonymize interest with value, the teacher would prove effective. Now a sense of purpose has now been infused into the lesson, and the student/students may begin to contribute more. (NCREL, 1990) This approach is rather intriguing, and teachers should be trained in linguistics prior to teaching ELLs. I would learn the subparts of linguistics via a course: phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics. By learning each subpart in-depth, I can better compose lesson plans and activities that explore those areas for the ELLs to better benefit. Understanding the mechanics of a language is just as important as understanding the language itself, for both teachers and students. The concept of prior knowledge should not be limited to the students but 2 LINGUISTIC APPROACH teachers should utilize this concept for their own effective instruction. If teachers have prior knowledge of the subparts of the English language, as well as knowledge of the diverse cultures  he/she is instructing can help the teacher create and blend a comprehensive and student-inclusive lesson plan and curriculum. Prior knowledge influences how the teacher and students interact with the learning materials as both individuals and a group. (Kujawa and Huske, 1995) Prior knowledge assists in segue of appropriate instruction and retention, because it is a foundation from which to build from and facilitates the idea of making sense of the educational experience. As the students are learning from the linguistic perspective, especially under syntax and  semantics, students would be primed for grammatical instruction, also. As they learn how, where and when to use appropriate vocabulary, I will insert instruction on main grammatical principles and rules and branch off into further instruction where applicable. I would try to make sound non-confusing connections with the native language grammatical principles, so there is a prior knowledge foundation established in that arena as well. I would also have a grammar day in the middle of the week to review prior concepts and morph new grammar lessons into the lesson  plan and utilize formative assessment strategies to see what needs to be reviewed and further defined. 3 LINGUISTIC APPROACH References Kujawa, S. , & Huske, L. (1995). The Strategic Teaching and Reading Project guidebook (Rev. ed. ). Oak Brook, IL: North Central Regional Educational Laboratory. Restructuring to promote learning in America’s schools, videoconference #2: The thinking curriculum. (1990). Oak Brook, IL: North Central Regional Educational Laboratory. Sonoma County Office of Education. (2009) Structuring language instruction to advance stalled English learners. Aiming High Resource. Retrieved September 16 2014. 4

#FreelancerFriday #7 - Yari Leon Suarez, Translator

#FreelancerFriday #7 - Yari Leon Suarez, Translator #FreelancerFriday #7 - Yari Leon Suarez, Translator Yari Leon Suarez offers translation services between English and Spanish. Yari has worked in a variety of genres ranging from technical translations to translating poetry and literary fiction. Yari is also a fan of Charles Bukowski, which is maybe the best quality any person could possibly have that makes you think â€Å"I want to know more about this person.† Enjoy!–REEDSYWhat’s the biggest difference in moving from technical translation to literary translation?YARI LEON SUAREZ You work longer! *laughs* When you translate a creative piece, it takes longer because you have to work closely with the author, more than you would with a corporation. I find that with technical translation you’re working with terminology. It narrows things down, and when you have a question you can just go to a database. With literary translation it becomes more tricky - you’re working with an author’s thoughts, feelings. I think for literary translation you need that communication.REEDSY Why is contact with the author important?YARI LEON SUAREZ I find that the key for literary translation is to connect with the writer as a writer. I’ve translated for friends before, but I knew them as friends, not as writers. When I talk with them about the work, I need to talk about what they were trying to say, and focus as specifically on the piece of work as possible. We don’t talk that much about the process of getting there. Working with friends can be easier, but at the same time it’s not - I have to *forget* that they’re my friends, and look at them as a professional - look at them as a writer, not the person I go for coffee with. It’s tricky but the key is to focus on the piece of work and the writer’s voice. There’s a skill of talking with authors that came from technical translation because I have to ask companies about how they want something translated as well. It teaches you to be precise and how to know what questions to ask. You have to be focussed.REEDSY Is the focus on being accurate, on being good for the reader, on doing right by the author?YARI LEON SUAREZ It’s about doing the best work possible for the author. As a translator you’re really not entitled to change anything for a piece of work. It’s the editor’s job to advise the author on changes if there’s something wrong. For the translator it’s more a communication *with* an author, trying to keep the author’s voice as it is, but in a different language. When I started working with friends and I fell in love with a piece of work, it was hard - I had to stop myself adding to the work. To be a translator you have to be passionate about what you’re translating, but at the same time have a lot of respect for the work. You have to try to write *exactly* as the author wrote, but in a different language.REEDSY How do you practice that? Does reading help?YARI LEON SUAREZ Once, I grabbed a book I like and actually tried to translate a part. It was just a personal exercise, basically. I tried to translate pieces of ‘Women’ by Charles Bukowski. Just as an exercise in how you would translate a book by an established author in an established market, to see how you would handle it. I just kept it to myself.Reading a lot is always going to help - it helps you understand structure. Understanding structure is important because when you’re translating a text you have to understand the form. At the same time I think that right now the most important thing is to be up to date on technology. With technology it makes it so much easier to be in communication with the author, and there are tools that make the work easier. You need the right tools for writing, and translating in particular.There’s specific software that helps you when you’re translating. Nowadays the world of translation is tied to a digital format. For technical tra nslation translators can use software to connect with other translators for feedback. Like Robert Faclo said, Evernote is also fantastic for translators. And it’s necessary, because it speeds up the process of translation.REEDSY Do you do a lot of research?YARI LEON SUAREZ Oh yes, you have to. As a translator you have to be a researcher. You can’t just be happy with your own translation, you need to share your work with other translators and keep communicating with other writers - it’s a collaborative process. Translators these days don’t just sit with a book and translate it into a new language - you have to have a wider knowledge about literature today, you could say, of how the publishing industry is working. You translate in an active, engaged way. Depending on the book you’re translating, you need to know the author, you need to know where this is coming from, you need to know who’s going to be the reader of this translation to make a work that’s accurate.REEDSY What do you need to know from authors, when you’re getting ready to work with them on a project?YARI LEON SUAREZ The first thing is to know the 'motive’ of the novel, how you feel about it, if I can borrow it and read it of course! Later on I would ask the author why they want to share the novel with a different market, how they want it to impact the reader in a different language. I’d ask what the author knows about Spanish, the Spanish market, if anything, if they’re familiar with their new audience.REEDSY What’s are the first steps in the process for you?YARI LEON SUAREZ I’ll read the manuscript and ask questions about the writing, the story, anything that comes up in it about the characters. I’ll ask how you feel about the main character, how the secondary characters are influencing the story, that kind of thing. If I have any doubts, if there’s something I don’t understand, I’ll clear that up. Then I’ll go through the translation work itself, and new questions will arise. In terms of the structure, for example, more specific questions about structure, about sentences where I’m not quite sure about the tone or the intent, that only comes out when you’re doing the work.REEDSY Should authors work with Spanish editors as well, after they’ve translated with you?YARI I†¦ would recommend it. It’s not my field. I can always try and I can suggest, but I would’t consider myself an editor.REEDSY When you’re translating poetry, how does that work? What are you keeping?YARI LEON SUAREZ To translate poetry you’re dealing with a different literary structure, depending on the type of poem. If it’s free-rhyming, that’s one thing, but if there’s a specific structure you’re facing a piece that will take longer. That’s in the sense that it’s not just the vocabulary you need to worry about, but also about the structure and the differences between languages. For example, English and Spanish are completely different languages in the way you structure sentences in them. A sentence in Spanish can be longer in a sentence than English, and that can break the structure of the poem. So I have to spend a lot of time just trying to do the work because I have to make sure the same amount of syllables of the original poem are in the translation.And then also, keep in mind that it’s not a literal translation but a poetic translation as well, so you have to use the right kind of language, with the right translation of the word, whi le keeping the tone of the author. It’s a big, big challenge that requires a lot of work. With prose, you can follow a different structure and just keep in mind the genre of the work. It’s still difficult, because translation has to be based on the work, it’s not your work.REEDSY Do you see any big differences between the English and Spanish markets?YARI LEON SUAREZ In the US, specifically, they seem to be getting more into drama†¦ You know, I’m thinking. They’re not too different. They both definitely prefer prose to poetry. The majority of authors are doing novels or a series of novels following the same character - like a saga, let’s say. In that sense, the markets are similar. In Spain they love the novel that’s elaborate in a historical way. They love a novel that has historical research behind it, but is still dramatic, is not too much of a psychological novel. They follow a mystery plot, that kind of thing.The differences aren’t so big - we’re talking about literature that doesn’t require a lot of psychological analysis of the character, that isn’t a heavy topic - it’s easy reading, especially in the United States. â€Å"A read that flows,† basically; that doesn’t take a lot of time to understand, especially that’s not metaphysical. In Latin America I think they like literature with secondary meanings hidden in the prose, but here in Spain and the United States it’s more about the flow of the prose.REEDSY Thanks for your time Yari.

Three of the Best Truck Driver Jobs

Three of the Best Truck Driver Jobs The call of the open road beckons to millions of people every year. How do many of them answer? By accepting jobs as truck drivers. While the hours may be long, there are many benefits in truck driving - including job security. After all, the vast majority of the world’s goods are transported over roadways, and drivers are the ones responsible for making that happen every single day. But all truck driver jobs are not created equally. Wondering which are the best gigs? First, it’s important to understand that the term â€Å"best† is relative. Is your priority to gain access to the fabled trucker lifestyle or shorter hours? Big money or additional career enrichment opportunities? Let’s take a look at a few of the main truck driver jobs, along with how to get a leg up when it comes to landing a position.1. Heavy and Tractor-trailer Truck DriversAccording to the United State Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are currently mo re than 1.7 million heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers on the roads. And with a job outlook of 11 percent during the 10 year period between 2012 and 2022, workers in this industry can expect to remain in demand for years to come.If you’re looking for a decent salary with minimal educational requirements and training, look no further. These drivers - responsible for transporting goods between locations - make an average of just under $40,000 a year with no college degree required. Top drivers, however, can earn up to $60,000!Most trucking companies require that drivers attend professional truck driving school. Once hired, they may also undergo a short term of on-the-job training. Every long-haul trucker is also required to have a commercial driver’s license.If you’re thinking of going this route, keep in mind that it’s generally considered to be a lifestyle choice as much as it is a job. Why? Because drivers are on the roads and away from home for e xtended periods of time. Despite these personal costs, a long-haul trucking job answers a lifetime of dreams for many drivers.2. Delivery Truck Drivers and Driver/Sales WorkersNot interested in a life of traveling the country’s highways and byways? There are trucking jobs for you, too, although opportunities may become less plentiful in the years ahead. There are currently more than 1.2 million delivery truck drivers, but the job outlook is not as strong with just five percent growth - less than the national average - projected over between 2012 and 2022.According to the BLS, delivery truck drivers make an average of just over $27,500 a year and require only a high school diploma or its equivalent.Like long-haul trucking jobs, delivery jobs also include transporting goods, but in a more local context. In addition to simply driving the truck, some delivery workers also have additional sales responsibilities.Also, keep in mind that this delivery truck driving involves far mor e than just the behind-the-wheel part of the job description. Delivery truck drivers also have significant physical responsibilities, such as loading and unloading trucks, as well as handling paperwork.3. Unionized DriversWhile this category doesn’t pertain to a specific type of truck driver, it’s worth mentioning because of the many perks that go along with getting a union job.These drivers typically make the most money while also reaping the best benefits, such as overtime pay, sick leave, and insurance. While union dues may seem costly, the advantages are also strong.If you love to drive, don’t mind long hours on the road, and are looking for a stable job with a decent paycheck and relatively secure outlook for the future, the trucking industry may be for you.

Islamic Art Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Islamic Art - Essay Example This has made the artistic work easy to view on the display and it is also easy to read the contents. Ink, opaque watercolour and gold on paper have been used in the artistic work. This has impacted positively on the ability of the audience to view the writing. The material also appears to be durable and hence its ability to last for a long period of time. This means that the artistic work can be displayed in the museum over a long period of time without the texts being affected. The text is a page from the Quran which is an indication that it is targeting the Muslims. The style that has been used to write the text in Arabic is clear. This is an indication that the audience can easily understand the works. It is also important to note that the style that has been used in writing the Arabic words is unique which is essential in terms of making the texts unique. During the Mamluk Dynasty, the calligraphers who used this type of style in writing enjoyed the greatest prestige among the Muslim artists (Blair & Bloom, 2012). The use of these texts can be traced back to the 12th Century during the Mamluk Dynasty in Egypt (Blair & Bloom, 2012). It was a replacement of the Kufic writings which was popular before. The cursive writing style which has been used in the artistic work is clearer and it can be easily and clearly as they are characterized by tall, slender vertices and sweeping sublinear strokes. This is an indication that the writings have been used for a long period of time. The object has been framed in gold and vegetal ornamentation art the museum. The display is outstanding and the frame is fitting which makes it visible to the audience. However, the lighting is not good at the place that it has been displayed. This makes it a little dull considering that the writings are black and the material used is golden. The object could have been displayed in an area where there is more light so as to make it appear brighter and more

Retailing Final Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Retailing Final - Essay Example Efficient store operation of Aldi is a way to convey the best customer experience. This remarkably will give significant reputation for the entire store based on the ability of its customers to disseminate response about their experience. This what makes this competitive advantage sustainable and it is through this that customers are playing major role towards its great success in the future. Customers therefore are needed to be enhanced with high level of satisfaction and Aldi tries to get this by conveying the best customer experience through efficient store operations. This means that all aspects in the operation involving the issue of customer satisfaction are closely taken into account. On the other hand, the increasing network of limited assortment stores of Aldi is another important source of sustainable competitive advantage. In this way, there is a good chance to highly differentiate the products and services offerings of the company. In line with this, there is a great oppo rtunity to increase the demand for products offered by Aldi in the global setting. This is also a good opportunity for the company to increase its chance to maximize the resources available from other countries. For one thing, China and India are good places for business as they are known to have cheap labor. However, for Aldi, the context of expansion deals primarily with business environmental factors. Under politics, it is important to consider existing policies for international business in both China and India. The aftermath of economic downturn is also a significant factor to consider prior to the global expansion of Aldi. This is going to be a challenge for Aldi’s competitive advantage knowing that China and India are also affected with economic recession across the globe. Putting up a business after all requires thorough consideration of economic activities and other factors. The next factor that would become a challenge for Aldi’s potential global expansion is the political environment. Various policies in business are determined by political settings of a country. In reality, this really affects how an international company would perform and adjust its internal business operation. Finally, another important factor that may be a great challenge for Aldi in its expansion is under the social context. China and India are home to huge consumers that have different preferences, geographic orientation and all other related social concerns. In particular, this is going to be a challenge for Aldi since this is going to take more time and effort to understand. There is a need to develop more systematic approach to identify how many exactly of the consumers are willing to go for limited assortment items. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   List and discuss all important characteristics of the fast response model used by Zara. Discuss key barriers limiting the company’s ability to duplicate this business model overseas, especially in Asia.   Answer: Za ra is known for its fast response model. This is potentially a quite advantage for the company as far as the trend and buying behavior of consumers change over time. It is because of this that there is a need to list and discuss all important characteristics of the fast response model of Zara. The fast response model of Zara is determined based on its concept. The world is home to fast changing demand for designs, innovation and the like. Thus, there is a need to